S-3B Viking History
In 1964 the Navy announced a requirement for a new carrier-based antisubmarine war-fare aircraft (designated VSX) to replace the aging Grumman S-2 Tracker. The new aircraft was to have twice the speed, range, and altitude capability of the S-2. The VSX design competition started in 1968, and, in 1969, Lockheed was awarded the contract to develop the Navy's new carrier-based, fan-powered ASW aircraft. It was designed to incorporate the latest concepts in sensors and in computer-based data processing, display and weapons control systems, and in enabling the four-man crew to effectively deal with the anticipated submarine threat. Remarkably, only five years elapsed from the time of contract award until the first aircraft was delivered to a fleet squadron in 1974. The S-3A airframe has been adapted to other roles--a characteristic for which its S-2 predecessor has long been noted. The S-3A was designed for the US Navy by Lockheed Manufacturing for long range anti-submarine warfare against the Soviet threat and it was initially introduced to the fleet in 1974.
The S-3B Aircraft is a modified S-3A Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft, with increased ASW and new Anti-Surface Warfare capabilities through improvements to various mission avionics and armament systems. Between July 1987 and July 1991, all east coast S-3A Aircraft were modified by a contractor field team at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Cecil Field, Florida. In March 1992, a contractor field team at NAS North Island, California, began modifying west coast S-3A Aircraft to the S-3B Aircraft configuration and completed modifications in September 1994.
The improved S-3B version incorporated improved technology for increased radar detection range and classification, advanced acoustic processing, and support measures, and has Harpoon missile capability. The S-3B's high speed computer system processes information generated by the acoustic and non-acoustic target sensor systems. This included a new Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) and ESM systems suites. To destroy targets, the S-3B Viking employs an impressive array of airborne weaponry. This provides the fleet with a very effective airborne capability to combat the significant threat presented by modern combatants and submarines.
During operation Desert Storm, the versatility of the S-3 enabled it to serve a variety of roles. It flew hundreds of sea surveillance missions to enforce the economic blockade of Iraq and secure the seas surrounding the battle groups. Mine detection was an especially critical mission in the Persian Gulf, and the S-3 also served as the primary logistic transport for carriers. The S-3 had a direct combat role in which it electronically monitored active missile sites prior to air strikes. It also participated in the hunt for Scud missiles. Perhaps the most important contribution of the S-3 during the conflict was its airborne tanking capability. In this role, it employed a hose-and-drogue refueling system that resulted in more efficient refueling operations and more U.S. aircraft getting to their targets. In recognition of its broad applications, the designation of the S-3 Viking squadrons was changed from Air Antisubmarine Squadron to Sea Control Squadron.
In fiscal year 1992, ten aircraft S-3B squadrons were reduced to six aircraft. In 1993, aircraft assets for deployed squadrons were increased to eight, to meet increased operational requirements caused by retirement of the A-6E from the Navy inventory. All S-3B squadrons are currently configured and manned for eight aircraft.
The S-3B "Viking" was the ultimate ASW platform, but in recent years, that mission has begun to give way to another vital task to which the plane is well-suited: refueling the air wing. In fact, refueling completely replaced the aircraft's ASW mission. All S-3B aircraft are capable of carrying an inflight refueling "buddy" store which allows the transfer of fuel from the Viking aircraft to other Naval strike aircraft, thus extending their combat radius. With the retirement of the A-6, the Viking has become the principal organic tanking platform for the battlegroup and a mainstay in offensive mining. The S-3B is employed as the sole tanking platform for the airwing. Vikings provide fuel for several platforms as both a Mission Tanker and as a Recovery Tanker.
